Great Interest in the Saudi Cup…

Great Interest in the Saudi Cup…

A record number of thoroughbreds have registered to participate in the Saudi Cup Meeting, which will be held on February 21-22 at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. With a total prize pool of 38.1 million US dollars, the two-day event will distribute 34 million dollars across 9 international races. In the international jockey competition, which is part of the first day’s program, a total prize of 1.6 million US dollars will be awarded in 4 races. The Saudi Arabian Jockey Club announced that 1,123 thoroughbreds from 21 different countries have pre-registered for the meeting, including 81 horses that have won G1 races.

The race that gives its name to the meeting, the G1 Saudi Cup, holds the distinction of being the highest-paying race in the world, with a prize of 20 million dollars. To compete in this event, 111 thoroughbreds from 11 different countries have pre-registered, including 28 G1 winners. Among them are Romantic Warrior, a three-time winner of the G1 Hong Kong Cup, Sierra Leone, the G1 BC Classic winner of the year, Soul of an Angel, the G1 BC Filly & Mare winner, Mystik Dan, the G1 Kentucky Derby winner; the Japanese horse Forever Young, who won the G2 Saudi Derby and G2 UAE, and finished 3rd in both the BC Classic and Kentucky Derby; Danon Decile, winner of the G1 Japanese Derby; Senor Buscador, who won the 2024 G1 Saudi Cup and finished 3rd in the G1 Dubai World Cup; Laurel River, winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup; Ushba Tesoro, who was second in both of these races; and the Argentine champion El Kodigo, who has won 5 G1 races in Argentina, are early favorites for the event.

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